mizuden
New member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2020
- Messages
- 6
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- JP
- State
- KY
- City
- KY
Hey everyone, first of all, I'd like to thank you for this great forum. I've already found some very insightful information. My symptoms have me perplexed and I'd love to hear your thoughts.
About me:
Male, 32, caucasian living in Japan.
My symptoms started around last December. I was first having issues with my right hip and the right side of my neck. Pain and stiffness. I saw a chiropractor for this who advised me to exercise my core. In February I started getting pretty annoying right shoulder pain. General discomfort and very noticeable pain with certain movements (mostly overhead and while doing push-ups for example). I've since had a clean cervical MRI (mild spondylosis, but shouldn't be an issue) and a clean shoulder MRI. I've tried painkillers, a steroid injection and rest but saw no improvement. Also, when I lay in bed with my head on the pillow, my neck (bottom right) gets very uncomfortable.
2 weeks ago I started seeing a physical therapist for what they believed to be a shoulder impingement. So far, no noticeable changes, but it's only been a few weeks. I just came back from my appointment today and he noticed quite obvious right side shoulder muscle atrophy. Trapezius and deltoid are most noticeable. I actually believe that my "lack" of right side trapezius is causing the uncomfortable feeling when I lay on my pillow. I think there is not enough cushioning and a nerve is being compressed. He also pointed out that my strength in that arm was less than my left.
This actually goes along with my most recent symptom, arm weakness, at least that is what I think it is. Typing right now, my right forearm and shoulder feel tired and achy, the same happens when I hold my phone. However, I can still lift the same amount of weight with either arm.
Additionally, my right leg started feeling off. I've always had some issues with that leg but now, walking feels funny. For what it's worth, this might just be due to my lack of exercise/walking over the last few months because of corona... I went hiking a couple of months ago and was first having issues with my right leg but after a while of hiking, it felt fine.
I've also had a lot of twitches, mostly all over but more noticeable in my feet, at the top of my knees, and around my right elbow and shoulder. However, they can happen pretty much anywhere. I can also easily trigger cramps in my feet and calves. Although, this improves with eating right and enough.
The PT rescheduled me with the doctor I saw first because of the obvious muscle loss. I'm quite concerned, to say the least.
Does this sound like ALS? I know that this question is a hard one but I just can't think of a reason why my shoulder would be wasting away without injury and why I've seen no improvement over the course of 6 months. But, wouldn't I have noticed much more significant weakness in my arm by now with this amount of muscle loss and if it was actually due to ALS? I should note that my right side is/was my strong side, I am right-handed.
I attached a picture.
About me:
Male, 32, caucasian living in Japan.
My symptoms started around last December. I was first having issues with my right hip and the right side of my neck. Pain and stiffness. I saw a chiropractor for this who advised me to exercise my core. In February I started getting pretty annoying right shoulder pain. General discomfort and very noticeable pain with certain movements (mostly overhead and while doing push-ups for example). I've since had a clean cervical MRI (mild spondylosis, but shouldn't be an issue) and a clean shoulder MRI. I've tried painkillers, a steroid injection and rest but saw no improvement. Also, when I lay in bed with my head on the pillow, my neck (bottom right) gets very uncomfortable.
2 weeks ago I started seeing a physical therapist for what they believed to be a shoulder impingement. So far, no noticeable changes, but it's only been a few weeks. I just came back from my appointment today and he noticed quite obvious right side shoulder muscle atrophy. Trapezius and deltoid are most noticeable. I actually believe that my "lack" of right side trapezius is causing the uncomfortable feeling when I lay on my pillow. I think there is not enough cushioning and a nerve is being compressed. He also pointed out that my strength in that arm was less than my left.
This actually goes along with my most recent symptom, arm weakness, at least that is what I think it is. Typing right now, my right forearm and shoulder feel tired and achy, the same happens when I hold my phone. However, I can still lift the same amount of weight with either arm.
Additionally, my right leg started feeling off. I've always had some issues with that leg but now, walking feels funny. For what it's worth, this might just be due to my lack of exercise/walking over the last few months because of corona... I went hiking a couple of months ago and was first having issues with my right leg but after a while of hiking, it felt fine.
I've also had a lot of twitches, mostly all over but more noticeable in my feet, at the top of my knees, and around my right elbow and shoulder. However, they can happen pretty much anywhere. I can also easily trigger cramps in my feet and calves. Although, this improves with eating right and enough.
The PT rescheduled me with the doctor I saw first because of the obvious muscle loss. I'm quite concerned, to say the least.
Does this sound like ALS? I know that this question is a hard one but I just can't think of a reason why my shoulder would be wasting away without injury and why I've seen no improvement over the course of 6 months. But, wouldn't I have noticed much more significant weakness in my arm by now with this amount of muscle loss and if it was actually due to ALS? I should note that my right side is/was my strong side, I am right-handed.
I attached a picture.
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